Free It Happened One Week by Joann Ross Page A

for Amanda to sit down. “Then why do you have those dark circles beneath your eyes?”
    Amanda unconsciously lifted her fingers to the blue shadows she thought she’d managed to conceal successfully this morning. It was bad enough having to deal with Dane and their past, which now seemed to be unsettled. By the time the corporate challenge week was over, she’d undoubtedly be buying Erase by the carton.
    “I’ve been working long hours lately.”
    “You’re not sleeping very well, either, I’d suspect. And you have a headache.”
    “It’s not that bad,” Amanda lied as Mary reached out and rubbed at the lines carving furrows between her eyes.
    The older woman’s touch was gentle and more maternal than any Amanda had ever received from her own mother. Then again, the Stockenbergs never had been touchers. The Cutters—mother and son—definitely were.
    Mary’s smile didn’t fade, but the way she was looking at her, hard and deep, made Amanda want to change the subject. “I just ran into Miss Minnie and Miss Pearl,” she said. “But I couldn’t remember which was which.”
    “Minnie is the one with white hair and an attitude. Pearl has lavender hair and hides Hershey’s Kisses all over the inn.”
    “Why would she do that?”
    “Because the poor dear has an enormous sweet tooth. And Minnie has her on a diet that would starve a gerbil.” Mary flashed a quick grin that was remarkably like her son’s, although it didn’t have the capability to affect Amanda in such a devastating manner. “I feel so sorry for Pearl. She’s been sneaking in here for snacks ever since they arrived last week.”
    “Well, I can certainly understand that. I had a muffin that was just short of heaven.”
    “I’m so pleased you enjoyed it.” Mary’s eyes skimmed over Amanda judiciously. “You’re a bit thin, dear. We’ll have to see what we can do about fattening you up a little.”
    “A woman can never be too thin,” Amanda said, quoting one of her sleek mother’s favorite axioms.
    “Want to bet?” a deep voice asked from the doorway.
    Amanda tamped down the little burst of pleasure brought about by the sight of Dane, clad again in jeans. Today’s shirt was faded chambray; his shoes were high-topped sneakers.
    Mary greeted him with a smile. “Good morning, darling.”
    “Morning.” He crossed the room on a long, easy stride and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Do I smell sugar cookies?”
    “It’s my new cologne,” Mary said with a laugh. “The saleswoman said it has vanilla in it.” She shook her head in mock regret. “She also said men would find it impossible to resist. I’m afraid I was oversold.”
    “Never met a man yet who didn’t like sugar cookies,” Dane said agreeably. His grin slipped a notch as his attention turned to Amanda. “Good morning.”
    Amanda had watched the way he brushed his finger down his mother’s cheek in a casual, intimate gesture that was as natural to him as breathing. Once again she was reminded how different the Cutters were from the Stockenbergs. It would be wise to keep those differences in mind over the next several days.
    “Good morning.” Her tone was friendly, but cool. She could have been speaking to a stranger at a bus stop.
    “Sleep well?” His tone was as studiously casual as hers.
    “Like a baby,” she lied. She pushed herself up from the table. “Well, I really do have to get back to work. I just wanted to stop in and say hi,” she told Mary. “And to thank you for the lovely breakfast.”
    “It’s been lovely seeing you again, dear.” Dane’s mother took Amanda’s hand in both of hers. “I realize you’re going to be extremely busy, but I hope you can find time to visit again.”
    “I’d like that.” It was the truth.
    Without another word to Dane, Amanda placed her cup on the counter, then left the kitchen.
    “Well, she certainly has grown up to be a lovely young lady,” Mary said.
    “Really?” Dane’s answering shrug was forced.